They’d never been so caring.


    Still, I yed along.


    I took the water they offered, repeating the same calming reassurances.


    “Don’t worry.


    I’m alright.


    The doctor took care of me.


    ”


    But I still reminded them.


    “Running off isn’t safe.


    It worries me sick.


    We might not be so lucky next time.


    Don’t do it again for your safety.


    ”


    My words teetered them back towards tears.


    Elena’s eyes welled up.


    Choking back a sob, she blurted, “Daddy, we didn’t mean to run away.


    We just miss Mommy so much.


    It’s been a long time, and we just wanted to find her.


    We didn’t want to cause trouble.


    ”


    Dn, too, bit his lip and muttered sorry repeatedly.


    Seeing them distraught left me distressed.


    A heavy weight settled on my chest, making every breath a struggle.


    I pulled them into a hug and promised, “Don’t worry.


    I’ll find your mom.


    We’ll be together again.


    And we’ll never separate.


    ”


    I meant every word I said.


    Their faces broke into relieved smiles.


    It was already past dinner time.


    I took them for ate meal, then ushered them to bed.


    The day’s events had left them overstimted.


    They clung to me, begging for stories.


    Tale after tale I spun until their eyelids finally fluttered shut.


    Leaving them tucked in, I tiptoed back to my room-or rather, Debra and my room.


    Surrounded by her belongings, clothes, purses, jewelry, Little handmade gifts, I felt an unfamiliar ache settling in my heart.


    The promises to the kids echoed in my mind.


    “Damien, do you think she’s still alive?”


    Silence stretched.


    A long momentter, he finally spoke.


    “That’s something you, better than anyone, already know.


    ”


    Staring out at the moonlit sky, I exhaled deeply.


    Yes, I did.


    The mind link with Debra was severed long ago, and the radio silence likely meant she encountered danger.


    The other world was like a gaping maw of danger.


    The chances of Debra being safe was very small.


    But saddling the children with that truth was unthinkable.


    Besides, I had a mountain of responsibilities waiting for my attention; I couldn’t afford getting consumed by the search for Debra.


    That was partly why my search efforts had waned.


    Sleep eventually imed me as thoughts of Debra swirled in my mind.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    And for the first time since her disappearance, I dreamt of her.


    In the dream, Debra cradled a baby in an unfamiliar room, her touch gentle and soothing.


    She didn’t look at me, but a knowing smile yed on her lips.


    “Dear,e see.


    Isn’t our child beautiful?”